March 13, 2000

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Attorney General Hardy Myers today resolved a case against an Oregon company that specialized in the removal of underground storage tanks and testing for contaminated soil. Named in an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance filed today in Marion County Circuit Court are Charles Getter of Stayton and his company, REA Tech Management, Inc., which did business as Three Aces Environmental and Genesis Environmental.

"Home owners have every right to expect paid, licensed professionals to conduct accurate soil testing and quality removal or sealing of their underground heating oil tanks," Myers said. "It appears customers of these companies rarely received the service they paid for."

Department of Justice investigators working with Department of Environmental Quality staff determined most victims were residents of Marion, Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties who were buying or selling homes and had their underground heating oil tanks tested and/or removed as a condition of sale. Complaints ranged from flawed testing procedures resulting in continued leaking tanks to defective sealing of tanks and inadequate removal of contaminated soil.

Under the terms of the Department of Justice agreement, which admits no law violations, consumers have 5 years from today to file a claim with Getter seeking reimbursement of money paid for inadequate re-testing, site clean-up or removal of contaminated soil by Getter's companies. Getter also agrees to comply with DEQ licensing regulations and the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Failure to do so will result in additional civil penalties. DEQ also is currently negotiating an agreement with Getter.

Attorney General Myers suggests consumers take the following steps when looking for a company to test or remove underground heating oil tanks:

Call DEQ and request a list of licensed contractors who conduct soil analysis.

Call the Attorney General's consumer hotline and ask about complaints against companies under consideration for hire.